Archery bowsight

ABSTRACT

A bowsight is provided for an archery bow including a mounting bracket to mount the bowsight parallel to the length of the bow. Several circular cross-section fixed sights are carried by the mounting bracket to provide an indication of target distance by comparison of the apparent vertical height of the target with the vertical heights of the sights. An L-shaped sight member with a sight marker on its short leg is pivotally carried by the mounting bracket. To sight the bow the archer positions the sight marker relative to the circular cross-section fixed sights to set the range of the target. A finger actuated lever is effective to position the marker in a first embodiment, and a flexible cord connected with the bowstring automatically positions the sight marker in a second embodiment.

United States Patent Carella ARCHERY BOWSlGl-IT lnventor: Richard F. Carella. 35572 Strathcona, Mount Clemens, Mich. 48043 Filed: Nov. 16, 1972 Appl. N0.: 307,328

U.S. Cl. 33/265 [51] Int. Cl. E4l'g 1/46 [58} Field of Search 33/265, 260, 261

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,674,002 7/1972 Diamond 33/265 3,013,336 12/1961 Pennington... 33/265 3,365,800 1/1968 Carella 33/265 2,767,472 10/1956 Kocur 33/265 Primary E.raminerRobert B. Hull Assistant ExaminerRichard R. Stearns Attorney, Agent, or Firm-McGlynn and Milton 57 ABSTRACT A bowsight is provided for an archery bow including a I mounting bracket to mount the bowsight parallel to the length of the bow. Several circular cross-section fixed sights are carried by the mounting bracket to provide an indication of target distance by comparison of the apparent vertical height of the target with the vertical heights of the sights. An L-shaped sight member with a sight marker on its short leg is pivotally carried by the mounting bracket. To sight the bow the archer positions the sight marker relative to the circular cross-section fixed sights to set the range of the target. A finger actuated lever is effective to position the marker in a first embodiment, and a flexible cord connected with the bowstring automatically positions the sight marker in a second embodiment.

12 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures ARCHERY BOWSIGIIT This invention relates to an archery bowsight.

Archery bows are commonly equipped with bowsights to aid the archer in sighting his target. One prior art bowsight uses a vertically adjustable sighting ring that is preset at a fixed position by the archer for the known target distance. This bowsight and similar sights are unacceptable when quick sighting is required such as for hunting. When hunting deer, for example, the archer must be able to sight and release the arrow rapidly, there is no time for the time-consuming adjustment required for these prior art fixed-adjustable bowsights.

Several improved bowsights are known in the prior art for avoiding the time delays of fixed-adjustable sights. Such an improved bowsight is fully disclosed in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,365,800. In my patent, I disclose a bowsight using a plurality of sighting elements of different vertical heights. Rapid sighting is possible with this bowsight by comparing the apparent vertical height of the target with the vertical heights of the several sights. For example, when the archer is hunting deer, the target is the approximately 12" vertical section in the chest area. The deers 12" chest presentsa different apparent vertical height for varying distance separations between archer and deer. The vertical heights of the sights are such that the archer merely matches the deers chest with a particular sight to set the range of the deer-target.

Although the bowsight of my U.S. Pat. No. 3,365,800 permits rapid sighting, it does not provide a sight for every distance. There are only a limited'number of sights, calibrated for a limited number of fixed distances. If the target is intermediate two sights, the archer must guess the proper bow position.

The present invention provides a continuously adjustable sight marker for use in conjunction with fixed, calibrated markings on a bowsight. The adjustable marker is freely movable relative to the distance markings after the bow is drawn. This freely movable sight marker is particularly useful in conjunction with a bowsight using the vertical height comparison sights described above. If the target is determined to be intermediate two calibrated sight distances, the freely movable sight marker is set for the proper intermediate distance, and the bow is raised or lowered to align the sight member, as positioned, with the target. By the operation of my freely movable sight marker, targets at all distances can be rapidly and accurately sighted, even after the bow is drawn.

The sight marker of the present invention is carried on the short leg of an L-shaped member pivotally mounted to the bowsight mounting bracket. A finger actuated lever connected with the L-shaped member is used to adjust the position of the sight marker in one flexible cord for automatically positioning the sight marker;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the bowsight and the portion of the bow shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is the archers view of the bowsight and the portion of the bow shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partial view of an archery bow equipped with the bowsight of the present invention including a finger actuated lever for positioning the sight marker; and

FIG. 5 is a front view of the bowsight and the portion of the bow shown in FIG. 4.

In the drawings, FIGS. l-3 show a first embodiment of the instant invention, and FIGS. 4-5 show a second embodiment. In the following description common elements in the two embodiments are designated with common reference numerals; only those elements unique to the respective embodiments are given. distinctive reference numerals- Reference should now be made to the drawings wherein an archery bow is shown equipped with a bowsight 12 fabricated, for example, from aluminum and made in accordance with the present invention. In FIG. 1, a bowstring 14 is connected with opposite ends of the archery bow 10, although these connections are not illustrated in the drawing since the drawing shows only a portion of the bow l0 and the string 14. An archery bow 16 is shown in its shooting relation to the bow in the drawings. The archery bow 10, the bowembodiment of the invention. In another embodiment of the invention, a flexible cord adapted to be connected to the bowstring automatically pivots the L- shaped member to adjust the sight marker when the bow is drawn.

The instant invention can be best understood by reference to the following description of preferred embodiments together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a partial view of an archery bow equipped with the bowsight of the present invention including a string 14, and the arrow 16 are of conventional design, and they can take a variety of forms generally known to the archery art.

The bowsight 12 includes a mounting means or mounting bracket 18 adapted for attachment by screws 20 to the bow 10 with an orientation generally parallel to the length of the bow 10. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the bowsight 12 includes a plurality of calibrated distance markers comprising fixed sights 22, 24, 26, and 28 mounted on and carried by the mounting bracket 18 by brackets 30, 32, 34, and 36 and screws 38, 40, 42, and 44.

The fixed sights 22 through 28 are of the form disclosed in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,365,800. These fixed sights are adjustable, and they can be calibrated by moving them relative to the mounting bracket 18 after the screws 38 through 44 are loosened. As an example of their operation for deer hunting, FIG. 3 provides the archers view of the target-deer and the calibrated distance markers 22 through 28. Assuming the chest of the deer has an approximate 12 inches height, the distance markers permit rapid range finding by means of comparing the apparent vertical height of the deers chest with the calibrated vertical heights of the fixed sights 22 through 28.

A sight member 46 is freely mov'abIerelative to the calibrated distance markers 22 through 28 for aiming the how when the range of the target is intermediate the preset ranges of the fixed sights 22 through 28. The freely movable sight member 46 is adapted for aiming the bow by first positioning the sight member 46 relative to the calibrated distance markers 22 through 28 to set the range of the target and then raisingor lowering the bow 10 to align the sight member 46 with the target.

The sight member 46 comprises an L-shaped wire member with a sight marker 48 on the short leg thereof. The sight marker 48 is preferably a short section of heat shrinkable tubing positioned on the L-shaped wire member in a predetermined location to function as the sight point ofthe freely movable sight member 46. The L-shaped wire member carrying the sight marker 48 is connected with a member 50 pivotally mounted on the mounting bracket 18 by a bracket 52 and a screw 54.

In the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, a flexible cord 56, preferably a plastic coil spring as shown in FIG. 1, is connected with the member 50 by a bolt 58 and a member 60. The flexible cord 56 is adapted for connection to the bowstring- 14 by means of a section of heat shrinkable tubing 56A. In this embodiment the sight marker 48 is automatically positioned relative to the calibrated distance markers 22 through 28 to set the range of the target when the bowstring is drawn. When the string 14 is drawn, the flexible cord 56 is extended to pivot the member 60 and the member 50 so that the L-shaped wire member pivots thereby moving the sight marker 48 relative to the fixed sights 22 through 28. In view of the lever arm of the L-shaped wire member, slight distance variations in the full draw of the bow cause substantial movements by the sight marker 48, and the sight marker 48 is therefore adjustable over its entire range without significant variations in the draw.

A torsion spring 62 carried by the member 50.returns the freely movable member 46 to its released, substantially vertical position when the flexible cord 56 is relaxed. When the flexible cord 56 is relaxed, it forms a coil as shown in FIG. 1 such that it does not interfere with-the use of the bow.

In the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a finger actuated lever 64 is effective to set the sight marker 48 relative to the calibrated distance markers 22 through 28 to set the range of the target. By moving his finger in the hook end of the lever 64, the archer can pivot the lever 64 to pivot the member 50 thereby pivoting the L-shaped wire member and moving the sight marker 48 relative to the fixed sights 22 through 28. This operation is illustrated in FIG. 4 where the lever 64 and the sight member 46 are shown in a first position by solid lines and in a second, pivoted position by phantom lines.

Although the foregoing has proceeded in terms of particular preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications could be engrafted thereon by one skilled in the art within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. An archery bowsight comprising: mounting means adapted for attachment to an archery bow, at least one distance marker carried by said mounting means, a

' sight member movable relative to said distance marker for aiming a bow by positioning said sight member relative to said distance marker for sighting a target, and means interconnecting said sight member and a bowstring of an archery bow for moving said sight member generally transversely of the line of sight as the bowstring is drawn.

2. An archery bowsight as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means interconnecting said sight member and a bowstring includes a flexible cord.

3. An archery bowsight as set forth in claim 2, wherein said sight member comprises an L-shaped member pivotally carried by said mounting means and a sight marker on the short leg of said L-shaped member.

4. An archery bowsight as set forth in claim 3, including means for automatically returning said L-shaped member to a released position when said flexible cord is relaxed.

5. An archery bowsight as set forth in claim 4, including a plurality of said distance markers.

6. An archery bowsight as set forth in claim 5, wherein said distance markers comprise a plurality of fixed sights suitable to provide an indication of the target distance by comparison of the apparent vertical height ofthe target and the vertical heights of the sights.

7. An archery bowsight comprising; mounting means adapted for attachment to an archery bow, at least one distance marker'carried by said mounting means, a sight member movable relative to said distance marker for aiming a bow by positioning said sight member relative to said distance marker for sighting a target, said sight member including an L-shaped member with a first leg thereof defining a sight marker and a second leg extending transversely from said first leg, and means extending laterally from said second leg and being pivotally supported by said mounting means whereby said sight marker may be moved in an arcuate path generally transversely to the line of sight.

8. An archery bowsight as set forth in claim 7, including biasing means for biasing said L-shaped member to an extreme position of travel.

9. An archery bowsight as set forth in claim 8, wherein said biasing means includes a spring interconnecting said mounting means and said sight member.

10. An archery bowsight as set forth in claim 7, including a lever extending from said means which is pivotally supported by said mounting means for pivoting said sight marker.

11. An archery bowsight as set forth in claim 10, wherein said lever includes a hook portion at the end thereof manually engageable by a finger of a hand holding the bow.

12. An archery bowsight as set forth in claim 10, including means for interconnecting said lever and a bowstring of an archery bow to pivot said sight mem ber as a bowstring is drawn.

* t It 

1. An archery bowsight comprising: mounting means adapted for attachment to an archery bow, at least one distance marker carried by said mounting means, a sight member movable relative to said distance marker for aiming a bow by positioning said sight member relative to said distance marker for sighting a target, and means interconnecting said sight member and a bowstring of an archery bow for moving said sight member generally transversely of the line of sight as the bowstring is drawn.
 2. An archery bowsight as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means interconnecting said sight member and a bowstring includes a flexible cord.
 3. An archery bowsight as set forth in claim 2, wherein said sight member comprises an L-shaped member pivotally carried by said mounting means and a sight marker on the short leg of said L-shaped member.
 4. An archery bowsight as set forth in claim 3, including means for automatically returning said L-shaped member to a released position when said flexible cord is relaxed.
 5. An archery bowsight as set forth in claim 4, including a plurality of said distance markers.
 6. An archery bowsight as set forth in claim 5, wherein said distance markers comprise a plurality of fixed sights suitable to provide an indication of the target distance by comparison of the apparent vertical height of the target and the vertical heights of the sights.
 7. An archery bowsight comprising; mounting meAns adapted for attachment to an archery bow, at least one distance marker carried by said mounting means, a sight member movable relative to said distance marker for aiming a bow by positioning said sight member relative to said distance marker for sighting a target, said sight member including an L-shaped member with a first leg thereof defining a sight marker and a second leg extending transversely from said first leg, and means extending laterally from said second leg and being pivotally supported by said mounting means whereby said sight marker may be moved in an arcuate path generally transversely to the line of sight.
 8. An archery bowsight as set forth in claim 7, including biasing means for biasing said L-shaped member to an extreme position of travel.
 9. An archery bowsight as set forth in claim 8, wherein said biasing means includes a spring interconnecting said mounting means and said sight member.
 10. An archery bowsight as set forth in claim 7, including a lever extending from said means which is pivotally supported by said mounting means for pivoting said sight marker.
 11. An archery bowsight as set forth in claim 10, wherein said lever includes a hook portion at the end thereof manually engageable by a finger of a hand holding the bow.
 12. An archery bowsight as set forth in claim 10, including means for interconnecting said lever and a bowstring of an archery bow to pivot said sight member as a bowstring is drawn. 